In 2005, Pasquale and her husband, Anthony, started Project Kindness, an initiative that encourages kids to be kind and respectful of one another.

Back then, it began as part of Pasquale's requirement to earn her third degree Black Belt. In addition to a number of physical requirements, she was required to perform 1,000 acts of kindness.

Her students at the studio did it with her, she said. They routinely performed and recorded their individual acts of kindness at home, at school and within the greater community.

Project Kindness continued until about 2010, Pasquale said, when she switched her focus to fundraising for St. Jude. With the help of her studio, she raised more than $80,000 toward the cause.

Then, about 15 months ago, when Pasquale's father passed away, she felt a push to bring Project Kindness back. She said she thought it might help her "rebuild" herself after his death.

"It was just a little thing... but it only took 12 weeks to fill the jar," Pasquale said.

Each class, students who have performed at least 15 acts of kindness pass in a piece of paper where they've recorded those acts. Some of the suggested acts include taking out the garbage, sending a card or note to someone, and making someone laugh or smile.

There's also a space for writing in an act not listed on the sheet.

For every act, the student is given a marble to add to the Acts of Kindness jar in the studio.

"They've exceeded my expectations," Pasquale said.

Students who pass in 10 sheets (each with 15 acts listed) earn a medal, and students who pass in 20 sheets earn a "Kindness Ninja" t-shirt.

Students who participate in the "Kindness Klub" this summer, during which they will participate in a week of activities promoting kindness, will earn trophies.

What began within the walls of United Martial Arts Center on School Street has had a ripple effect in the community, Pasquale said. Some of her students, such as siblings Emma and Gideon Line, have brought the initiative into their classrooms at Smith Elementary School.

"We want to share it with our whole school," said Emma, 8.

"We wanted them to do Acts of Kindness, to be kind," added Gideon, 6. "It's exciting to get medals, but it's nicer to be kind."

Alyssa Tucker, 8, and her brother Brayden, 6, were also among those to bring Project Kindness into their classrooms at Smith School. Alyssa said some students have taken to it and are recording their acts of kindness.

"But it's going to take a little time," Alyssa said.

Family members of the students in Pasquale's classes said the initiative has helped to improve the kids' behavior, motivated them to help around the house or perform small kind deeds, as simple as holding the door open for a stranger.

Erin Baker's son, who has been at the studio for about two years, has completed two sheets — or about 30 acts of kindness.

"He was definitely inspired to do more," she said. "He's always been good at helping around the house ... but he's helping more now."

Cindy Cianfrocca's granddaughter is also a student in Pasquale's class.

"She's learned, from being here, it's not about her," she said.

Cianfrocca said Project Kindness has helped the kids to be less into themselves and focus on others, instead. She called it being "other-centered."

Pasquale's mother, Lillian Marino, echoed her daughter's words on encouraging empathy as a way to prevent bullying between kids.